Determination of a reduced dataset to guide forecasting of energy use in commercial buildings

Abstract

The importance of reducing energy usage in buildings is difficult to overstate. Approximately 10% of all energy consumed in the EU and the US is used on the provision of occupant thermal comfort in commercial buildings. The theories and practice of occupant comfort have developed over the past 45 years and currently two popular guidance methods are employed in most of the international standards: heat balance and adaptive. The implementation of these methods in the design of a new building has a direct bearing on future energy usage. Post construction and occupation, the energy used to operate the building will be dictated by those design decisions for many years to come.